CT of postmeningitic deafness: observations and predictive value for cochlear implants in children.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate CT abnormalities encountered in children with postmeningitic deafness and to assess the value of CT in the prediction of cochlear implantation difficulties. METHODS: Thirteen children with postmeningitic deafness were evaluated with high-resolution, thin-section CT. CT findings were correlated with surgical anatomy at the time of cochlear implantation, with particular regard to the prediction of implant success. RESULTS: CT findings included normal scans (3 of 13, 23.1%), cochlear stenosis (5 of 13, 37.7%), cochlear fibroossific change (1 of 13, 7.7%), cochlear ossification (4 of 13, 30.8%), and osseous hypertrophy at the round window niche (4 of 13, 30.8%). Nine of 10 patients with abnormal findings had incomplete or difficult implantations (90%); 7 (88.8%) of these 9 received limited electrode insertions. CONCLUSION: Attention to subtle otological abnormalities on thin-section CT is helpful in the prediction of early success or failure of implantation in children with postmeningitic deafness. Those with CT abnormalities had a 90% risk of incomplete or difficult insertions with a 70% chance of limited electrode insertion.

Update of reparative granuloma: survey of the American Otological Society and the American Neurotology Society.

Members of the American Otological Society and the American Neurotology Society were polled regarding stapes surgery and reparative granuloma. Of 467 questionnaires, 176 (38%) were returned, and 319,410 stapes cases were statistically analyzed: 329 reparative granulomas were reported after stapedectomy (incidence = 0.1%) and 29 after stapedotomy (incidence = 0.07%); 77 surgeons reported having encountered at least one reparative granuloma; and 50 surgeons related the occurrence of a reparative granuloma to a specific graft material. Gelfoam was the most common graft material reported when a reparative granuloma was encountered, followed by fat, and vertigo was the most frequently reported presenting symptom. Reported operative techniques as well as manifestations, management, and outcome are discussed.

Kawasaki disease: early presentation to the otolaryngologist.

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology that occurs primarily in childhood. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of cardiac complications of Kawasaki disease, which carries a 1% to 2% mortality for cardiovascular events. Clinical features include: (1) fever; (2) conjunctival injection; (3) oral cavity changes; (4) changes in the peripheral extremities; (5) erythematous rash; and (6) cervical adenopathy without suppuration. We describe three cases in detail and survey a series of 42 patients at our institution. Otolaryngologic manifestations were found to occur in the early stages of Kawasaki disease. The otolaryngologist may see these patients early in the disease and should be alert to the signs and symptoms for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Characteristics of Kawasaki disease, difficulties in diagnosis during the initial febrile stage, and the importance of early diagnosis by the otolaryngologist is stressed.

Cochlear implants in children: reliability of computed tomography.

Preoperative temporal bone computed tomography (CT) can demonstrate anatomic details relevant to surgical management and is therefore essential in the presurgical evaluation of patients receiving cochlear implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preoperative CT studies and compare them to surgical findings in 34 children who received the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant. The focus of this report is to discuss the dependability of CT scans in predicting surgical findings at the time of cochlear implantation. Results indicate that agreement of CT interpretations with surgical findings is partially related to the etiology of hearing loss and the experience of the surgeon and neuroradiologist. Advantages and limitations of the CT scans in predicting surgical findings are discussed.